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USER's MANUAL
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CommRadio
CTX-10 Amateur Radio Transceiver
AeroStream Communications –
CommRadio
Division
New Castle, Colorado USA
www.commradio.com
Email:
support@commradio.com
Copyright © 2018
Commradio div. AeroStream Communicatons All Rights Reserved
No portion of this manual bay be reproduced without permission
of CommRadio / AeroStream Communications
CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018
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Table of Contents
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Summary of Contents for CommRadio CTX-10
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Page 1: Commradio
New Castle, Colorado USA www.commradio.com Email: support@commradio.com Copyright © 2018 Commradio div. AeroStream Communicatons All Rights Reserved No portion of this manual bay be reproduced without permission of CommRadio / AeroStream Communications CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018... -
Page 2: Revision Status
Added FAQs, added more Tech Notes 07/27/2018 Multiple Updates per revised Firmware 07/28/2018 Added ATU information 11/15/2018 [T] switch deactivation, non-iambic keyer, MEM, zero-beat TX ON_OFF elimination, AGC OFF CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018... -
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Key Pad – MODE (Morse Code reader function) ............26 Key Pad - STEP ....................... 26 Key Pad - MEM ....................... 27 Key Pad - <LEFT ARROW> ................... 27 CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018... - Page 4 Q. How should I clean and protect the finish of my radio? ..........38 Q. How do I ‘Zero Beat’ an incoming CW signal that I want to answer? ....... 39 CTX-10 Specifications......................39 CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018...
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Page 5: Important Warnings
IMPORTANT WARNINGS READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY to learn all of the features of the CTX-10. Understanding that you’ll want to use the radio immediately, we’ve included several Quick Start Guides right up front. SAVE THIS MANUAL as it contains important safety and operating instructions. - Page 6 TEMPERATURE RANGE - It is acceptable to charge and use the CTX-10 in the temperature range of 0° – 45° C (32° - 113°F). It is acceptable to store the CTX-10 in the temperature range of -20° to 45° C (-4° - 113°F). Be aware that temperatures on a vehicle’s dashboard can exceed +80°C (+176°F), resulting in permanent damage to the transceiver if left there...
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Page 7: Introduction
CommRadio CR-1 and CR-1a receivers, the CTX-10 is the latest product from the mind of Don Moore, N0HDX. The CTX-10 was designed to be rugged and user-friendly with a minimum number of user interface interactions to produce the desired system functional change. -
Page 8: Firmware, Manual Updates And Social Media
The direct dropbox link for the latest user’s manual and system firmware and firmware update instructions is: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/o52isgpavqz2org/AACRWiWTE5wNPN9pwO_PeMK Ya?dl=0 If you’re a friend of social media, CommRadio is on Facebook and Yahoo! Groups, as well as RadioReference.com. CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018... -
Page 9: Actions, Abbreviations & Symbols Used In This Manual
The [STEP] key on the keypad Tuning Knob, the right knob on the front panel [TX] Transmit, Transmitter UNLOCK Opposite of LOCK Returns radio to normal operations CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018... -
Page 10: Quick Start Guides
Connect an antenna cable to the BNC HF jack on the rear panel. The use of a suitable SO- 239 Female to BNC Male adapter may be required to connect from an existing antenna cable to the CTX-10’s BNC connector. These adapters are available in right angle as well as straight configurations as illustrated below. - Page 11 To turn OFF, Press Control Knob [M] in for two seconds and release. If, for some reason the radio does not turn OFF, press and hold Control Knob [M] for six seconds and the radio will turn off. CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018...
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Page 12: Quick Start Guide - Cw Transceiver Setup
Connect an antenna cable to the BNC HF jack on the rear panel. The use of a suitable SO- 239 Female to BNC Male adapter may be required to connect from an existing antenna cable to the CTX-10’s BNC connector. These adapters are available in right angle as well as straight configurations as illustrated below. - Page 13 Connect either straight key or paddles to key jack. For use with an EXTERNAL keyer, configure CTX-10 as Straight Key – turn the internal keyer OFF. Push [M] momentarily to enter Menu Selection Mode, then rotate [M] one click {CW} to enter TX_POWER mode.
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Page 14: Quick Start Guide - Ssb Transceiver Setup
Connect an antenna cable to the BNC HF jack on the rear panel. The use of a suitable SO- 239 Female to BNC Male adapter may be required to connect from an existing antenna cable to the CTX-10’s BNC connector. These adapters are available in right angle as well as straight configurations as illustrated below. - Page 15 To turn OFF, Press Control Knob [M] in for two seconds and release. If, for some reason, the radio does not turn OFF, press and hold Control Knob [M] for six seconds and the radio will turn off. CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018...
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Page 16: Quick Start Guide - Discussion Of Digital Data Modes, Directly Connected To Pc
This mode has a 50% duty-cycle, transmitting 50% of the time, receiving 50% of the time. Since the CTX-10 is designed to be capable of 100% duty cycle, 50% is very easy duty with no internal or external fan required. The die cast aluminum CTX-10 enclosure is the heatsink for all power circuitry, providing excellent convection cooling to the ambient air. - Page 17 Start with setting your sound-card audio level at approx. 35 % to 40 %. b. On the CTX-10, select the ‘PTT AUDIO’ Menu. Select ON (to enable). NOTE: when on this screen the screen will not ‘time-out’ and will not allow transmitting, thus enabling the user to use the TEST button on WSJT-FT8 to adjust the level without transmitting.
- Page 18 10 to the typical frequencies shown on the WSJT GUI. These frequencies may be stored in the CTX-10’s memory for easy re-use. Please refer to Key Pad - MEM in this User’s Manual for details. CommRadio will provide frequency-band changes over USB in the future (your hardware is compatible).
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Page 19: Display
Note: 100% Battery Status shows only a solid battery icon. No numeric display will show for 100% charged battery. CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018... -
Page 20: Control Knob [M]
[M] is pushed again, ENDing the tuning process. When OUT-OF-BAND is displayed, the selected frequency is outside the legal US amateur bands. Transmit and Tune functions are not allowed outside the legal US amateur bands. CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018... -
Page 21: Transmitter
Push [M] to select displayed TX POWER level. Keyer The CTX-10 Keyer is non-Iambic. It is not possible to software switch right / left paddle inputs to switch between dits and dahs. Changing right / left function requires changing the wiring to the paddle. -
Page 22: Ptt Audio
TUNING MODE – Manual prevents the receiver from automatically switching MODE. Rotate [M] four clicks {CW} to enter TUNING MODE mode. Push [M] to select current TUNING MODE. Rotate [M] to cycle through AUTOMATIC or MANUAL. CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018... -
Page 23: Receiver
AGC OFF can be useful for weak signal work, however be aware that the receiver may overload with inputs greater than -70 dBm. AGC Speeds: OFF SLOW MEDIUM FAST CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018... -
Page 24: Squelch
Rotate [M] six clicks {CCW} to enter TIMEOUT mode. Push [M] to select current TIMEOUT selection. Rotate [M] {CW} or {CCW} to change TIMEOUT. Push [M] to select the currently displayed time. Selectable TIMEOUT times: 5s, 4s, 3s, 2s CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018... -
Page 25: Rapid Tune
Rotate [M] {CW} or {CCW} to change RAPID TUNE. Push [M] to select the currently displayed RAPID TUNE. Rapid Tune Options: 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, OFF Revolutions before beginning to RAPID TUNE CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018... -
Page 26: Key Pad
STEP function cannot be changed by the user. NOTE: When on a MEM page, STEP will cycle through saved memories, with [<] and [>] reversing STEP direction. Press STEP again to stop. CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018... -
Page 27: Key Pad - Mem
Tuning Resolutions: 1MHz, 100, 10, 1 kHz, 100, 10 Hz. Additionally, BAND and MODE can be changed once their function is selected. The direction of STEP may also be changed. CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018... -
Page 28: Key Pad -
Is a precision low torque digital optical encoder. Also, [T] incorporates an axial momentary push button switch. This switch function is not presently used by the CTX-10. Rotation of [T] {CW} increases the displayed frequency with a step size as indicated by the highlighted display digit. Similarly, rotation of [T] {CCW} decreases the displayed frequency.(Tuning Resolution Function) -
Page 29: Rear Panel
The USB receptacle is a standard mini-B 2.0 jack. This USB receptacle is the input jack for software updates to the CTX-10. Additionally, the jack provides IQ data out from the receiver, and provides bi-directional radio control capabilities. NOTE: USB receptacle does not provide power out and does not accept power in. -
Page 30: Key
Pin 3, PTT, Push-To-Talk, Pull-low (Ground) this pin to enable SSB transmission. (Optional, see pin 1) Pin 4, MUTE, Pull-low (Ground) this pin to mute receiver. (Pins 1 and 3 also mute receiver) Pin 5, AUDIO-OUT, Line-level audio output to PC soundcard (RX Data) CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018... -
Page 31: Mic
(SO-239 (UHF) to BNC male adapter) is suggested. Ground A Ground (chassis) connection is provided on the CTX-10. The topic of whether or not, and how to ground your radio is well beyond what can be written in a few sentences or a few pages. -
Page 32: Ctx-10 Technical Notes
Three (3) Tenergy model 30006, type 18650 cylindrical Li-Ion cells, rated at 3.7V @ 2600 mAhr are connected in series. These batteries are easily user replaceable after removing eight screws securing the CTX-10 case bottom cover. Soldering is not required. Batteries fit into 3 slot holder. -
Page 33: Monitoring Voltage Input At Power Jack And Battery Charging
The presence of a voltage greater than (>) 0.3 VDC indicates the presence of the power source (power supply, battery, etc.). Any voltage in the range of 5.0 – 20V will allow charging. When a power source is present, the batteries will be charged with the CTX-10 either ON or OFF. -
Page 34: Usb Power Bricks For The Ctx-10
USB Power Bricks for the CTX-10? The CTX-10 will accept a power input of as low as 5VDC. I have several USB Power Bricks from Radio Shack and SOLIO. A couple provide as low as 3.1VDC output. These are not acceptable, you really need about 5VDC, ideally at 2A. -
Page 35: Bar Armor For The Ctx-10
The CTX-10 is a ruggedized radio able to withstand shock, vibration and temperatures which would render lesser radios into a collection of spare parts. However, the CTX-10’s Achille’s Heel just might be the front panel. The Control Knob [M] and Tuning Knob [T] are both precision devices which don’t like being dropped on their knobs. -
Page 36: A Peek Inside The Ctx-10
A Peek inside the CTX-10! The CTX-10 is designed so that the user may remove and replace the internal batteries as required. Three Li-Ion #18650 batteries are secured in a ruggedized socket as shown in the right picture. -
Page 37: Ambient Noise Gate (Ang) - Ssb Audio Processing
Ambient Noise Gate (ANG) – SSB Audio Processing A feature unique to the CTX-10 is the Ambient Noise Gate. With the opposite functionality of an audio compressor, the CTX-10 noise gate strongly attenuates audio signals that register below an automatically determined threshold. What that means, is when you key the Push-to-Talk (PTT) microphone, the transmitter is enabled. -
Page 38: Ctx-10 Frequently Asked Questions (Faq)
(4% loss), with a 2.0:1 SWR being acceptable (11% loss). An operational SWR limit set for the CTX-10 is 3.0:1 (25% loss) since this allows operation without concern for damage to the radio. (SWRs as high as 8.0:1 during tuning will not cause unnecessary wear and tear to the relays or circuitry since the power level during tuning is limited to 2 W. -
Page 39: How Do I 'Zero Beat' An Incoming Cw Signal That I Want To Answer
Q. How do I ‘Zero Beat’ an incoming CW signal that I want to answer? A. The sidetone produced by the CTX-10 when transmitting CW is at an offset from the actual transmitting frequency. If you adjust the received signal’s pitch to be the same as the sidetone pitch, you will be transmitting on the same frequency as the station you are receiving. - Page 40 No power input or output from mini-USB jack. ESD Protection: ESD diodes at antenna, power jacks, USB port, keys and knobs. Physical: Size: 5.61”W x 1.55”H x 6"D Weight: 2.2 lbs. CommRadio CTX-10 User Manual – Rev E4 - 15 NOV 2018...
- Page 41 Copyright 2018 CommRadio div. AeroStream Communica ons REV. PRELIMINARY 5 APR 2018 All rights Reserved CTX-10 Amateur Radio Transceiver No por on of this manual may be reproduced without Func onal Block Diagram permission of CommRadio / AeroStream Communica ons...
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